The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced plans to hold manifesto hearings across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas ahead of the 2027 general election, saying the exercise will give citizens a direct role in shaping the party’s policy agenda and campaign promises.
The initiative, which will form the basis of the party’s national manifesto, is expected to involve consultations with farmers, traders, teachers, health workers, artisans, students, transport operators, professionals, traditional rulers, women, persons with disabilities and young entrepreneurs.
According to the party, the grassroots consultations will ensure that the proposed administration of its presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi, is guided by the needs and priorities identified by communities across the country rather than policies developed solely by political elites.
The ADC said each local government area would identify and rank its most pressing development priorities, reflecting the differing realities across Nigeria.
Under the plan, farming communities are expected to focus on issues such as security, irrigation and rural road infrastructure, while commercial centres may prioritise electricity supply, access to credit, transportation and improved market infrastructure.
Similarly, riverine communities would have the opportunity to advocate for erosion control, environmental restoration and safer waterways, while urban residents are expected to highlight concerns relating to housing, traffic congestion, employment, waste management and the rising cost of public services.
The party said all submissions from the consultations would be documented, analysed and aligned with available resources as well as the constitutional responsibilities of the federal, state and local governments.
Unlike conventional political town hall meetings, the ADC said the hearings would be designed to allow citizens to present evidence, propose practical solutions and engage directly with the party’s policy teams.
“Communities will present evidence, propose solutions and question the party’s policy teams directly. Every submission will be recorded, and every local government will receive a public summary showing the priorities identified, the commitments adopted and the level of government responsible for delivery,” the party stated.
The ADC explained that the consultation process would enable Atiku to develop a national programme rooted in the diverse economic realities of Nigerians, while Amaechi would ensure that every policy commitment accepted by the party is accompanied by a clear implementation framework, designated institutions and measurable timelines.
According to the party, the final manifesto will move beyond broad campaign promises on security, jobs and economic development by providing location-specific policy commitments for communities across the country.
It said residents of Bama would understand how national security and reconstruction programmes would affect their communities, while farmers in Edu would receive detailed plans on irrigation, agricultural storage facilities and market access.
The party added that traders in Aba would see commitments on electricity, manufacturing and transportation, communities in Brass would benefit from proposals on environmental protection and oil revenue accountability, while residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would have practical policy proposals addressing housing, urban mobility and public services.
The ADC stressed that the consultation process would also strengthen accountability if elected into office, noting that communities would retain documented records of their requests and the commitments made by the party.
“The Atiku-Amaechi movement will not impose one generic solution on 774 different local realities. It will build one national vision from hundreds of local voices,” the party said.
The opposition party also criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of introducing major government policies without sufficient public consultation.
It argued that future governance should be driven by sustained engagement with citizens rather than decisions taken without adequate input from those directly affected.
“ADC will replace government by surprise with leadership through consultation. Every local government will have a voice. Every region will see itself in the national programme, and every accepted promise will carry responsibility,” the statement added.
The party maintained that its 2027 manifesto would ultimately reflect the aspirations and contributions of Nigerians across the country rather than those of its presidential candidates or party leadership alone.
“The 2027 manifesto will not merely belong to Atiku, Amaechi or ADC. It will belong to the Nigerian people who helped write it,” the party said.
